A cross-section of the pupils during the event in Alausa, Lagos, on
Lagos State Government marked the World Human Rights Day with schoolchildren, restating its commitment to protecting human dignity, promoting freedom, and ensuring justice for all in the State.
The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey made this declaration on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the World Human Rights Day 2022, organized by the State Directorate for Citizens Rights under the Ministry of Justice, themed: “Dignity, Freedom and Justice For All” held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Secretariat.
Aiming for a more just society
In her welcome address, Shitta-Bey noted that the event couldn’t hold in December 2022, due to early vacation of schools, adding that the Ministry of Justice has continued to sensitize the public about their fundamental human rights through its various agencies.
“The Lagos State Government has invariably ensured that through seminars, trainings, drama presentations and school debates across the State, it will continue to bring awareness to the importance of knowing your right as a citizen, how these rights can be protected and how infractions are addressed.”
Presentation of gifts to the students
“Furthermore, the goal that every human being should have full enjoyment of their human rights implies that nobody should suffer violations of those rights. The prevention of human rights violations is therefore a key part of the State Government’s effort to protect and promote human rights for all”. she said.
The Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court, Mr. T.A. Elias, during his presentation said that all children, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances may be, have the right to be protected, nurtured and free from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation.
“The Judiciary collaborates with relevant stakeholders across the State to safeguard the right of the Lagos Child while ensuring the prevention of a breach of the Child’s Rights Law and any person (s) found to have violated any of these rights will be prosecuted accordingly.”
The Director for Directorate of Citizens Right, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, expressed gratitude towards the stakeholders and students for supporting the government on its journey to protect the rights of citizens across the State, while imploring them to continue being good citizens and ambassadors of the Human Rights movement.
Oshinusi therefore urged the students and participants at the program to report any form of human rights abuse to the Ministry of Justice, Directorates for Citizens Rights even if it involves family, friends or loved ones.
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, it was proclaimed as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, towards which individuals and societies should “strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance”.
